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Highlights of a Day Trip to Modena and Parma in Emilia Romagna Italy

Modena and Parma are two iconic towns in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy and both can be combined in a long day trip from Bologna. Here are some highlights from our whirlwind visit.

Coffee and Brioche Under the Portico

We got an early start from Bologna so our first order of business upon arrival in Modena was a coffee and something sweet. We sat at a high table under a portico and munched on a sweet almond paste filled brioche plus some free butter cookies served with our macchiato.

Pasta with a Drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar

There was definitely a food theme running throughout our trip to Emilia Romagna and this was especially true in Modena. We enjoyed a plate of filled pasta with a drizzle of Modena's namesake balsamic vinegar adding just a touch of sweetness to the dish.

Regal Architecture

Both Modena and Parma featured medieval towers, regal government buildings and churches which added great atmosphere to our exploratory walks.

Colorful Facades

Parma in particular also features bright facades that added a dash of color to our walks.

Mercato al Binelli

Mercato al Binelli is a famous food hall in Modena. Be prepared for sensory overload as all sorts of treats and delicacies abound.

Spot the Luxury

Italy is home to fast cars and Modena is home to the Ferrari Museum on the outskirts of town. We didn't have time to visit the museum but we kept our eyes open on the streets for high end cars. We managed to spot an Alfa Romeo.

Richly Decorated Duomo

Both Modena and Parma feature grand churches but Parma's cathedral is particularly over the top with colorful frescos adorning every surface and gold accents. Beautiful!

The Wee Turtles

We strolled through Parco Ducale in Parma and discovered (much to our delight) a pond filled with wee turtles.

Patient Pooches

Residents of Parma and Modena seem to have a penchant for shopping and for dogs. We spotted more than one patient pooch sitting quietly which waiting for its owner to finish browsing.

Fine Dining at La Forchetta

Emilia Romagna in general is a foodie destination but the pinnacle of food in the region can be found in Parma. We treated ourselves to dinner at La Forchetta where we dined on three courses and a bottle of wine including a lovely pasta dish mixed with ham and julienned asparagus. Amazing!

We simply love basing ourselves in a city (in this case Bologna) and then exploring day trip destinations on a long weekend away.